Compact temperature control unit and associated components, assembly, and methods

ABSTRACT

A temperature control unit may include one or more thermoelectric cooling elements coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger and an unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may also include one or more unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include a power supply configured to change a polarity and level of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/262,023, filed Oct. 1, 2021,and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/374,882, filed Sep. 7,2022, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to temperaturecontrol devices. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosurerelate to a compact temperature control unit and associated components,assemblies and methods.

BACKGROUND

Conditioning the air in a space may include heating or cooling the airby passing the air through a heat exchanger that may absorb heat fromthe air to cool the air or transfer heat to the air to heat the air. Thecooling or heating is conventionally provided by a fluid, such as wateror a refrigerant. The fluid may be cooled through a refrigerationprocess by passing the fluid through a compressor, a condenser, and anexpansion valve. The fluid leaving the expansion valve may be colderthan the fluid entering the compressor. The fluid may then absorb heatfrom the heat exchanger or another cooling fluid through an evaporator.

Conventional air conditioning systems consume large amounts of energy torun the compressors and are complex and require special handling to makeany repairs due to the refrigerant systems. Conventional airconditioners also use the vapor compression cycle with refrigerants,which are potent greenhouse gasses and may contribute to global warmingand climate change. Lastly, conventional air conditioners do nottypically provide heating to a space. As a result users may burn fossilfuels to heat their space, adding greenhouse gasses to the environment,contributing to global warming and climate change.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure may include a temperature control unit.The unit may include one or more thermoelectric cooling elements coupledto a conditioned space heat exchanger and an unconditioned space heatexchanger. The unit may further include one or more conditioned air fansconfigured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditionedspace heat exchanger. The unit may also include one or moreunconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditionedspace over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may furtherinclude a power supply configured to change a polarity and level ofpower to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.

Another embodiment of the disclosure may include a temperature controlunit. The unit may include one or more thermoelectric cooling elementsoperatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through afirst working fluid. The unit may further include the one or morethermoelectric cooling elements operatively coupled to an unconditionedspace heat exchanger through a second working fluid. The unit may alsoinclude one or more conditioned air fans configured to move air from aconditioned space over the conditioned space heat exchanger. The unitmay further include one or more unconditioned air fans configured tomove air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heatexchanger. The unit may also include a power supply configured to changea polarity and level of power to the one or more thermoelectric coolingelements.

Another embodiment of the disclosure may include a temperature controlunit. The unit may include a thermoelectric cooling element operativelycoupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through a first heat pipe.The unit may further include the thermoelectric cooling elementoperatively coupled to an unconditioned space heat exchanger through asecond heat pipe. The unit may also include one or more conditioned airfans configured to move air from a conditioned space over theconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may further include one ormore unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditionedspace over the unconditioned space heat exchanger. The unit may alsoinclude a power supply configured to change a polarity and level ofpower to the thermoelectric cooling element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming embodiments of the present disclosure, theadvantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readilyascertained from the following description of embodiments of thedisclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a temperature control unit inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate a cross-sectional views of the temperaturecontrol unit of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the temperature control unit ofFIGS. 1-3 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature control system in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a temperature control unit inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top down schematic view of the temperature controlunit of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side schematic view of the temperature control unitof FIGS. 6 and 7 ;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side schematic view of the temperature control unitof FIG. 8 in a collapsed arrangement;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control unitof FIGS. 6-9 installed in a window;

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate different views of a liquid heat exchangerassembly of the temperature control unit of FIGS. 6-10 ;

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic view of a temperature control unitaccording to embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control unitof FIG. 15 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany particular temperature control unit or component thereof, but aremerely idealized representations employed to describe illustrativeembodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.

As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a givenparameter means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the artwould understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is metwith a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturingtolerances. For example, a parameter that is substantially met may be atleast about 90% met, at least about 95% met, at least about 99% met, oreven at least about 100% met.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first,” “second,” “top,”“bottom,” without limitation, are generally used for clarity andconvenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawingsand do not connote or depend on any specific preference, orientation, ororder, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “and/or” means and includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the terms “vertical” and “lateral” refer to theorientations as depicted in the figures.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 illustrate different views of a temperaturecontrol unit 100. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of the temperaturecontrol unit 100. The temperature control unit 100 may be configured tobe positioned in a window 302. The temperature control unit 100 mayinclude a shelf 108 configured to rest against the window 302 while abase of the temperature control unit 100 rests on an interior windowsill 304. The temperature control unit 100 may include a conditionedside 110 directed toward a conditioned space, such as the interior of aroom, and an unconditioned side 112 directed to an unconditioned space,such as an exterior space or outside. A foot 104 (also referred toherein as “support foot 104”) may extend from the base of thetemperature control unit 100 on the unconditioned side 112 of thetemperature control unit 100. The foot 104 may have an adjustable heightand be configured to contact an exterior window sill 306. As illustratedthe exterior window sill 306 may extend at an angle, such that rain,snow, without limitation, runs away from the window 302. The foot 104may be configured to adjust to the angle of the exterior window sill306, such as through a ball joint. A top portion of the temperaturecontrol unit 100 may also extend at an angle away from the window 302,such that rain, snow, without limitation, may run away from the window302. In one or more embodiments, a catch 106 may extend from the topsurface of the temperature control unit 100 to sandwich the window 302between the catch 106 and the shelf 108.

The temperature control unit 100 may include multiple thermoelectriccooling elements 208, arranged in parallel and/or in a series/multistagearray, positioned in a central portion of the temperature control unit100. The thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may be arranged in anarray. The thermoelectric cooling element 208 may be an element formedfrom two different materials configured to transfer heat from onematerial to the other material through the Peltier effect. The Peltiereffect transfers heat from one material to another when a voltage isapplied to the two materials. The transfer of heat may be reversed byreversing the polarity of the voltage applied thereto e.g., via one ormore switches for selectively applying voltages to respective materialsof thermoelectric cooling element 208, without limitation. If thethermoelectric cooling element 208 is arranged such that the heat istransferred from the conditioned side 110 to the unconditioned side 112,the temperature control unit 100 may cool the conditioned space. If thethermoelectric cooling element 208 is arranged such that the heat istransferred from the unconditioned side 112 to the conditioned side 110,the temperature control unit 100 may heat the conditioned space.

The temperature control unit 100 may include a heat exchanger 206 on theconditioned side 110 of the temperature control unit 100 and a heatexchanger 204 on the unconditioned side 112 side of the temperaturecontrol unit 100. The heat exchangers 204, 206 may be configured toenhance heat transfer between the air of the conditioned side 110 andunconditioned side 112 of the temperature control unit 100 and therespective sides of the thermoelectric cooling elements 208. In one ormore embodiments, the heat exchangers 204, 206 may be an array of finsextending from the respective surfaces of the thermoelectric coolingelement 208. The fins may be arranged such that air from the respectivespaces may pass between the fins and either collect heat from the finsor transfer heat to the fins.

The temperature control unit 100 may include one or more fans 210 on theconditioned side 110 of the temperature control unit 100 and one or morefans 202 on the unconditioned side 112 side of the temperature controlunit 100. The fans 210 on the conditioned side 110 (also referred toherein as “conditioned air fans 110”) may be configured to draw air fromthe conditioned space into the temperature control unit 100 through aninlet 308. The air from the conditioned space may then pass over and/orunder the heat exchanger 206 (e.g., through an area vertically displacedfrom the heat exchanger 206) and transfer heat to or from thethermoelectric cooling elements 208 through the heat exchanger 206. Forexample, if the conditioned space is being heated the thermoelectriccooling elements 208 may be producing heat which may be transferred tothe air through the heat exchanger 206. If the conditioned space isbeing cooled, the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 may betransferring heat to the unconditioned side 112 of the temperaturecontrol unit 100, such that the air may transfer heat from theconditioned space to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 through theheat exchanger 206. After the air passes through the heat exchanger 206,the fans 210 may move the conditioned air out of the temperature controlunit 100 through an outlet 310 and back into the conditioned space. Thefans 202 on the unconditioned side 112 (also referred to herein as“unconditioned air fans 112”) may draw unconditioned air into thetemperature control unit 100 through an inlet 312. The unconditioned airmay pass through the heat exchanger 204. The heat exchanger 204 mayeither reject heat to the unconditioned air or draw heat from theunconditioned air depending on the state of the temperature control unit100. For example, if the temperature control unit 100 is heating theconditioned space, the heat exchanger 204 may draw heat from theunconditioned air to transfer the heat to the conditioned side 110 ofthe thermoelectric cooling elements 208. If the temperature control unit100 is cooling the conditioned space, the heat exchanger 204 may rejectheat that was drawn from the conditioned side 110 of the thermoelectriccooling elements 208 through the heat exchanger 204. After theunconditioned air passes through the heat exchanger 204, the fans 202may move the unconditioned air out of the temperature control unit 100through an outlet 314.

The power to the temperature control unit 100 may be converted from AC(wall outlet power) to DC power through a power supply 402. The powersupply 402 may include one or more transformers configured to convertline voltage to a voltage configured to operate the associatedcomponents. For example, components may be configured to operate at lowvoltages, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, without limitation. In one or moreembodiments, the power supply 702 may operate as an inverter configuredto alter the type of power being supplied. For example, the power supply702 may convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current(DC) power. The power may be provided to the fans 202, 210, thethermoelectric cooling elements 208, controllers, and other poweredcomponents of the temperature control unit 100. As described above,changing the polarity to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 maychange the direction of the heat transfer in the thermoelectric coolingelements 208. Changing the level of power to the thermoelectric coolingelements 208 will reduce the amount of heat transferred between theconditioned and unconditioned space, allowing the thermoelectric elementto operate more efficiently at part load. Therefore, the control unit102 may be configured to control the polarity and/or level of power tothe thermoelectric cooling elements 208 based on the status of thetemperature control unit 100. For example, the control unit 102 may beconfigured to receive a temperature set point and a temperature readingfrom the conditioned space. The control unit 102 may determine whetherto heat or cool the conditioned space based on a comparison of thetemperature set point and the temperature reading from the conditionedspace. The control unit 102 may then determine which polarity and levelof power to supply to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 based onwhether the temperature control unit 100 is heating or cooling theconditioned space.

In one or more embodiments, the control unit 102 may be configured tomodulate or regulate the power being supplied to the thermoelectriccooling elements 208 by the power supply 402 to adjust the heating orcooling output. For example, if the temperature reading from theconditioned space is near the temperature set point, the control unit102 may operate the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 at a partialload to reduce the power consumption and the heating or cooling providedby the thermoelectric cooling elements 208. Reducing power supplied tothe thermoelectric cooling elements may increase the efficiency of thetemperature control unit at least because thermoelectric coolingelements may perform more efficiently in partial load conditions. Inother embodiments, power to the thermoelectric cooling elements 208 maybe regulated via voltage or current.

FIG. 5 illustrates a temperature control system including multipletemperature control units 100. In one or more embodiments, thetemperature control units 100 may be configured to communicate with oneanother and/or with an internet-based application. For example, thetemperature control units 100 may be configured to communicatewirelessly through radio waves, such as a WiFi network or Bluetooth. Inone or more embodiments, the control unit 102 of one of the temperaturecontrol units 100 may control all of the temperature control units 100.In other embodiments, the control unit 102 of one of the temperaturecontrol units 100 may provide set points to the other control units 102.

In one or more embodiments, a room sensor 502 may be configured tocontrol the temperature control units 100. For example, the room sensor502 may be positioned in another portion of the conditioned space. Theroom sensor 502 may include a temperature sensor configured to detect atemperature of the conditioned space. The room sensor 502 may include atemperature set point. The room sensor 502 may then compare thetemperature of the conditioned space with the temperature set point andsend a signal to the control units 102 of the respective temperaturecontrol units 100 to set the temperature control units 100 to heating orcooling based on the comparison.

In other embodiments, the room sensor 502 may be configured to read atemperature of the conditioned space and provide the temperature to therespective control units 102. The control units 102 may then compare thetemperature of the conditioned space received from the room sensor 502to a temperature set point and determine whether to heat or cool theconditioned space.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate schematic views of an embodiment of a temperaturecontrol unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 may include a primaryheat exchanger 602 on a conditioned side 630 of the temperature controlunit 600 and a secondary heat exchanger 604 on an unconditioned side 632of the temperature control unit 600. As described above, the conditionedside 630 of the temperature control unit 600 may be positioned in aconditioned space, such as the interior of a room, and the unconditionedside 632 may be directed to an unconditioned space, such as an exteriorspace or outside. The primary heat exchanger 602 may include primaryfans 606 (also referred to herein as “conditioned air fans 606”), whichmay be configured in an array across a surface of the primary heatexchanger 602. The secondary heat exchanger 604 may similarly includesecondary fans 608 (also referred to herein as “unconditioned air fans608”) arranged in an array across a surface of the secondary heatexchanger 604. In one or more embodiments, the primary fans 606 and thesecondary fans 608 may be arranged and configured to push air throughthe associated primary heat exchanger 602 and secondary heat exchanger604. In other embodiments, the primary fans 606 and the secondary fans608 may be arranged and configured to pull air through the associatedprimary heat exchanger 602 and secondary heat exchanger 604.

The primary heat exchanger 602 may be configured to transfer heat from aworking fluid, such as water, glycol or a refrigerant, withoutlimitation, to air passing through the primary heat exchanger 602. Forexample, the primary heat exchanger 602 may be a fin tube heatexchanger. The working fluid may pass through the tubes of the primaryheat exchanger 602 and the air being moved by the primary fans 606 maypass through the fins of the primary heat exchanger 602 transferringheat between the working fluid and the air to condition the air. Thetype of heat transfer occurring between the working fluid and the airmay be determined the temperature of the working fluid. The workingfluid may be heated or cooled by multiple thermoelectric coolingelements 610, positioned in parallel and/or in a series, multistagearrangement. As described above, the thermoelectric cooling elements 610may be elements formed from two different materials configured totransfer heat from one material to the other material through thePeltier effect. The thermoelectric cooling elements 610 may be arrangedand configured to transfer heat from the working fluid on theconditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600 to a workingfluid on the unconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600.The transfer of heat may be reversed by reversing the polarity of thevoltage applied to the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 as describedabove. Thus, if the thermoelectric cooling element 610 is configuredsuch that the heat is transferred from the conditioned side 630 to theunconditioned side 632, the temperature control unit 600 may cool theconditioned space. Whereas, if the thermoelectric cooling element 610 isconfigured such that the heat is transferred from the unconditioned side632 to the conditioned side 630, the temperature control unit 600 mayheat the conditioned space.

The temperature control unit 600 may include a primary fluid heatexchanger 612 and a secondary fluid heat exchanger 614, which may beconfigured to transfer heat between the thermoelectric cooling elements610 and the working fluids of the conditioned side 630 and unconditionedside 632 of the temperature control unit 600. The primary fluid heatexchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be configuredto increase a surface area of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 incontact with the associated working fluids. For example, the primaryfluid heat exchanger 612 and the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 maybe formed from a material having a high thermal conductivity, such as ametal (e.g., aluminum, copper, without limitation). The primary fluidheat exchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be coupledto opposing surfaces of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610, suchthat heat may be transferred between the primary fluid heat exchanger612 and the secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 through thethermoelectric cooling elements 610. For example, when the temperaturecontrol unit 600 is heating the conditioned space, the thermoelectriccooling elements 610 may remove heat from the secondary fluid heatexchanger 614 and may transfer heat to the primary fluid heat exchanger612. When the temperature control unit 600 is cooling the conditionedspace, the thermoelectric cooling element 610 may remove heat from theprimary fluid heat exchanger 612 and transfer heat to the secondaryfluid heat exchanger 614.

The temperature control unit 600 may include a primary pump 618, whichmay be configured to move the primary working fluid through the primaryheat exchanger 602 and the primary fluid heat exchanger 612. Thetemperature control unit 600 may also include a secondary pump 616configured to move the secondary working fluid through the secondaryheat exchanger 604 and then secondary fluid heat exchanger 614.

Similar to the primary heat exchanger 602, the secondary heat exchanger604 may be a fluid to air heat exchanger, such as a fin tube heatexchanger. The secondary fans 608 (which may also be referred to hereinas “unconditioned air fans 608”) may cause air from the unconditionedspace to pass through the secondary heat exchanger 604 to either collectheat from the secondary heat exchanger 604 or transfer heat to theworking fluid through the secondary heat exchanger 604. The secondaryworking fluid may then cool or heat the secondary side of thethermoelectric cooling elements 610 through the secondary fluid heatexchanger 614.

The temperature control unit 600 may be controlled by a controller 620,which may control power (e.g., voltage, polarity, current, withoutlimitation) to the thermoelectric cooling elements 610. The controller620 may similarly control the primary fans 606, the secondary fans 608,the primary pump 618, and the secondary pump 616. The temperaturecontrol unit 600 may also include multiple sensors configured to measureproperties of the temperature control unit 600 and or the surroundingspaces (e.g., the conditioned space and/or unconditioned space). Forexample, the temperature control unit 600 may include a primary returnsensor 622 configured to measure properties of the air from theconditioned space as the air enters the conditioned side 630 of thetemperature control unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 mayfurther include a primary supply sensor 626 configured to measureproperties of the air as the air leaves the conditioned side 630 of thetemperature control unit 600. The temperature control unit 600 may alsoinclude a secondary return sensor 624 configured to measure propertiesof the air from the unconditioned space as the air enters theunconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600. Thetemperature control unit 600 may further include a secondary supplysensor 628 configured measure properties of the air leaving theunconditioned side 632 of the temperature control unit 600.

The controller 620 may use measurements from the sensors to make controldecisions. For example, the controller 620 may calculate a temperaturechange across the primary heat exchanger 602 using a temperaturemeasurement from then primary return sensor 622 and a temperaturemeasurement from the primary supply sensor 626. The controller 620 maycontrol power (e.g., voltage, polarity, current, without limitation) tothe thermoelectric cooling elements 610 based on a comparison betweenthe temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 and adesired temperature change. The desired temperature change may bedetermined based on a comparison between a temperature in theconditioned space and a space set point. For example, as a differencebetween the temperature of the conditioned space and the space set pointincreases, the power supplied to the thermoelectric cooling elements mayincrease, and the desired temperature change across the primary heatexchanger 602 may also increase. Similarly, as a difference between thetemperature of the conditioned space and the space set point decreases,the power supplied to the thermoelectric cooling elements may decrease,and the desired temperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602may also decrease.

The controller 620 may also use measurements from the sensors to detectand/or diagnose faults or errors. For example, the controller 620 maydetermine if the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 are functioning bycomparing a temperature at the primary supply sensor 626 to atemperature at the secondary supply sensor 628 or by comparing thetemperature change across the primary heat exchanger 602 to atemperature change across the secondary heat exchanger 604.

The temperature control unit 600 may also include a power supply 702configured to provide power to the different components of thetemperature control unit 600. For example, the power supply 702 maysupply power to the controller 620, the primary fans 606, secondary fans608, secondary pump 616, primary pump 618, and thermoelectric coolingelements 610. The power supply 702 may include one or more transformersconfigured to convert line voltage to a voltage configured to operatethe associated components. For example, the controller 620 and/orthermoelectric cooling elements 610 may be configured to operate at lowvoltages, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, without limitation. In one or moreembodiments, the power supply 702 may operate as an inverter configuredto alter the type of power being supplied. For example, the power supply702 may convert alternating current (AC) line power to direct current(DC) power.

The controller 620, power supply 702, thermoelectric cooling elements610, primary fluid heat exchanger 612, secondary fluid heat exchanger614, secondary pump 616, and primary pump 618 may be housed in a body802. The primary heat exchanger 602, secondary heat exchanger 604, andthe associated primary fans 606 and secondary fans 608 may extend awayfrom the body 802 on opposing lateral ends of the body 802. The body 802may be configured to span a space between the conditioned space and theunconditioned space, such as a wall or window between the conditionedspace and the unconditioned space. In one or more embodiments, thetemperature control unit 600 may be collapsible, such as for storageand/or shipping. For example, the primary heat exchanger 602 andassociated primary fans 606 may be coupled to a first lateral end of thebody 802 through a hinge 804 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 andthe associated secondary fans 608 may be coupled to a second lateral endof the body 802 through another hinge 804. The hinges 804 may facilitatefolding the primary heat exchanger 602 and the secondary heat exchanger604 under the body 802 as illustrated in FIG. 9 .

The arrangement of the body 802 and the primary heat exchanger 602 andthe secondary heat exchanger 604 extending away from the body 802 mayreduce an area of the hole through which the temperature control unit600 passes to position the temperature control unit 600, while theprimary heat exchanger 602 and the secondary heat exchanger 604 maypresent an area (e.g., vertical cross sectional area) much larger than avertical cross sectional area of the body 802, which may increase atransfer of heat between the air on the conditioned side 630 and/or theunconditioned side 632 and the respective working fluid through theprimary heat exchanger 602 and/or the secondary heat exchanger 604.

FIG. 10 illustrates the temperature control unit 600 installed in awindow 1002 as a window unit. The body 802 may pass through the window1002, such that the primary heat exchanger 602 and primary fans 606 ofthe conditioned side 630 of the temperature control unit 600 arepositioned on a conditioned side of the window 1002 and the secondaryheat exchanger 604 and secondary fan 608 of the unconditioned side 632of the temperature control unit 600 are positioned on an unconditionedside of the window 1002. The temperature control unit 600 may bepositioned such that a gap 1004 is defined between a wall 1006 and theprimary fans 606. The gap 1004 may facilitate return air from theconditioned space entering the primary fans 606 to flow through theprimary heat exchanger 602 where the temperature of the return air maybe increased or decreased as necessary to reach a space temperature setpoint for the conditioned space. Similarly a gap may be defined betweenthe wall 1006 and the secondary fans 608 on an opposite side of the wall1006 in the unconditioned space for substantially the same reason.

In one or more embodiments, the temperature control unit 600 may bepermanently installed with the body 802 extending through a wall, suchas through an opening formed in the wall. The body 802 of thetemperature control unit 600 may be secured to the opening in the wallwith the primary heat exchanger 602 and primary fan 606 extending fromthe wall on a conditioned side of the wall and the secondary heatexchanger 604 and the secondary fan 608 extending from the wall on theunconditioned side of the wall.

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate different views of a liquid heatexchanger assembly 1100. The liquid heat exchanger assembly 1100 mayinclude, as non-limiting examples, the primary fluid heat exchanger 612and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 described above. The primaryfluid heat exchanger 612 and secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may becoupled to opposing sides of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610.

The primary fluid heat exchanger 612 may include a primary heat transferplate 1102 which may be coupled to a first side of the thermoelectriccooling elements 610. An array of thermoelectric cooling elements 610may be coupled to the primary heat transfer plate 1102. The primary heattransfer plate 1102 may include an array of fins 1208 on an oppositeside of the primary heat transfer plate 1102 from the thermoelectriccooling elements 610. The fins 1208 may be arranged and spaced apart asdepicted by FIG. 12 such that the primary working fluid may pass betweenthe individual fins 1208. The fins 1208 (e.g., the surface area ofrespective fins 1208, without limitation) may increase a surface area ofthe primary heat transfer plate 1102, which may increase the amount ofheat transferred between the primary heat transfer plate 1102 and theprimary working fluid.

The primary heat transfer plate 1102 may be disposed within a cavity ofa primary plenum 1202. The cavity of the primary plenum 1202 may bedefined by directing walls 1210 on opposing sides of the primary plenum1202. The directing walls 1210 may extend at an angle from opposingprimary fluid ports 1106, which may serve as fluid inlets or outlets.The directing walls 1210 may be configured to direct the primary workingfluid entering a first primary fluid port 1106 toward the fins 1208 ofthe primary heat transfer plate 1102, such that the primary workingfluid may pass through the fins 1208 before the directing wall 1210 onthe opposite side of the primary plenum 1202 directs the primary workingfluid out a second primary fluid port 1106.

The secondary fluid heat exchanger 614 may be similar to the primaryfluid heat exchanger 612 and coupled to an opposing side of the array ofthermoelectric cooling elements 610. For example, the secondary fluidheat exchanger 614 may include a secondary plenum 1204 includingdirecting walls 1302 configured to the secondary working fluid enteringfrom a first secondary fluid port 1108 across fins 1206 of a secondaryheat transfer plate 1104 and out a second secondary fluid port 1108. Thesecondary heat transfer plate 1104 may be directly coupled to theopposite side of the thermoelectric cooling elements 610 from theprimary heat transfer plate 1102.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate views of an embodiment of a temperaturecontrol unit 1500. The temperature control unit 1500 may include aprimary heat exchanger 1502 on a conditioned side 1524 of thetemperature control unit 1500 and a secondary heat exchanger 1504 on anunconditioned side 1526 of the temperature control unit 1500. Asdescribed above, the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature controlunit 1500 may be positioned in a conditioned space, such as the interiorof a room, and the unconditioned side 1526 may be directed to anunconditioned space, such as an exterior space or outside. The primaryheat exchanger 1502 may include primary fans 1506 (also referred toherein as “conditioned air fans 1506”), which may be configured in anarray across a surface of the primary heat exchanger 1502. The secondaryheat exchanger 1504 may similarly include secondary fans 1508 (alsoreferred to herein as “unconditioned air fans 1508”) arranged in anarray across a surface of the secondary heat exchanger 1504. In someembodiments, the primary fans 1506 and the secondary fans 1508 may bearranged and configured to push air through the associated primary heatexchanger 1502 and secondary heat exchanger 1504. In other embodiments,the primary fans 1506 and the secondary fans 1508 may be arranged andconfigured to pull air through the associated primary heat exchanger1502 and secondary heat exchanger 1504, as illustrated in FIG. 15 .

The temperature control unit 1500 may utilize primary heat pipes 1516 totransfer heat from the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 to theprimary heat exchanger 1502. A heat pipe includes three sections—anevaporation section, a transfer section, and a condenser section.Evaporation section includes a chamber and a fluid reservoir thatcontains a working fluid. The working fluid is selected on the basis ofthe desired heat flow through heat pipe. If the heat flow through heatpipe is high, water is chosen as working fluid. If the heat flow throughheat pipe is low, any other fluid with lower heat of vaporization thanwater is chosen as working fluid. Examples of fluids with low heat ofvaporization include, but are not limited to, methanol, ammonia,ethanol, acetone, fluorocarbons such as Freon, mixtures of water andethyl alcohol, and mixtures of water and ammonia. The condenser sectionis configured to reject heat from the working fluid to a heat sink orheat exchanger. The working fluid evaporates by absorbing heat in theevaporation section and forms a vapor in chamber. The vapor reachescondenser section through the transfer section and rejects the heat tocondenser section to form droplets. Thereafter, the condenser sectiontransfers the heat out of the heat pipe to a heat sink or heatexchanger. The droplets then return to the evaporation section andreplenish the fluid reservoir. The working fluid travels through theheat pipe through natural circulation caused by the increases anddecreases in temperature of the working fluid. The evaporation sectionand the condenser section of the heat pipe may be on opposing ends ofthe heat pipe.

The primary heat exchanger 1502 may be configured to transfer heat fromprimary heat pipes 1516 to air passing through the primary heatexchanger 1502. For example, the primary heat exchanger 1502 may be anarray of fins arranged around an end of the primary heat pipes 1516. Theprimary heat pipes 1516 may reject heat to the primary heat exchanger1502 or absorb heat from the primary heat exchanger 1502 and the airbeing moved by the primary fans 1506 may pass through the fins of theprimary heat exchanger 1502 absorbing and/or rejecting heat therefrom.Thus, the primary heat exchanger 1502 may transfer heat between theprimary heat pipes 1516 and the air to condition the air. The directionof the heat transfer through the primary heat pipes 1516 may bedetermined based on a mode of the temperature control unit 1500. Forexample, if the temperature control unit 1500 is heating the conditionedspace, the evaporator section may be coupled to a primary heat sink 1514receiving heat from the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 and thecondenser section of the primary heat pipes 1516 may be rejecting heatto the primary heat exchanger 1502 to heat the air on the conditionedside 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500. If the temperaturecontrol unit 1500 is cooling the conditioned space, the evaporatorsection may be coupled to the primary heat exchanger 1502 receiving heatfrom the air on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature controlunit 1500 and the condenser section of the primary heat pipes 1516 maybe rejecting heat to the primary heat sink 1514 which may be absorbed bythe thermoelectric cooling elements 1510.

The working fluid may be heated or cooled by multiple thermoelectriccooling elements 1510. As described above, the thermoelectric coolingelements 1510 may be elements formed from two different materialsconfigured to transfer heat from one material to the other materialthrough the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 maybe arranged and configured to transfer heat from the primary heat pipes1516 on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500to secondary heat pipes 1518 on the unconditioned side 1526 of thetemperature control unit 1500. The transfer of heat may be reversed byreversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the thermoelectriccooling elements 1510 as described above. Thus, if the thermoelectriccooling element 1510 is configured such that the heat is transferredfrom the conditioned side 1524 to the unconditioned side 1526, thetemperature control unit 1500 may cool the conditioned space. Whereas,if the thermoelectric cooling element 1510 is configured such that theheat is transferred from the unconditioned side 1526 to the conditionedside 1524, the temperature control unit 1500 may heat the conditionedspace.

Similar to the primary heat exchanger 1502, the secondary heat exchanger1504 may be an array of fins coupled to secondary heat pipes 1518. Thesecondary fans 1508 may cause air from the unconditioned space to passthrough the secondary heat exchanger 1504 to either collect heat fromthe secondary heat exchanger 1504 or to transfer heat to the secondaryheat pipes 1518 through the secondary heat exchanger 1504. The secondaryheat pipes 1518 may then cool or heat the secondary side of thethermoelectric cooling elements 1510 through a secondary heat sink 1512.

In some embodiments, the primary heat pipes 1516 and the secondary heatpipes 1518 may be configured to reverse flow direction based on the modeof the temperature control unit 1500. For example, the end of theprimary heat pipes 1516 coupled to the primary heat exchanger 1502 mayact as the condenser portion in a heating mode and the end of theprimary heat pipes 1516 coupled to the primary heat sink 1514 may act asthe condenser in a cooling mode, such that the flow of heat in theprimary heat pipes 1516 may reverse in the different modes to transferheat to or from the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control unit1500 Similar to the temperature control unit 600 described above, thetemperature control unit 1500 may be configured to have a bridge 1606that is thinner than the surrounding portions of the temperature controlunit 1500 to reduce the size (e.g., vertical cross sectional area) ofthe temperature control unit 1500 where it passes through the barrier(e.g., wall or window) between the conditioned space and theunconditioned space. The control elements, such as a controller, a powersupply, the thermoelectric cooling elements 1510, the primary heat sink1514, and the secondary heat sink 1512 may be housed in a bridge 1606.The primary heat exchanger 1502, secondary heat exchanger 1504, and theassociated primary fans 1506 and secondary fans 1508 may be arranged inthe larger portions of the temperature control unit 1500 on opposinglateral sides of the bridge 1606.

The larger portions of the temperature control unit 1500 on opposingsides of the bridge 1606 may define a channel 1604 over the bridge 1606.The channel 1604 may be configured to receive a securing element, thatmay form the barrier between the conditioned space and the unconditionedspace. For example, the channel 1604 may be configured to receive awindow, such that the window may retract to allow the unconditioned side1526 of the temperature control unit 1500 to pass through the window.The window may then be substantially closed, such that the window mayextend into the channel 1604 resting on the bridge 1606 to form abarrier between the unconditioned side 1526 and the conditioned side1524 of the temperature control unit 1500.

The temperature control unit 1500 may include a primary air inlet 1520on the conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 and asecondary air inlet 1522 on the unconditioned side 1526 of thetemperature control unit 1500. The air inlets 1520, 1522 may bepositioned in a top surface of the respective sides angularly offsetfrom the flow path through the respective fans 1506, 1508. The airinlets 1520, 1522 may be configured to receive air from the respectiveconditioned space or unconditioned space and direct the air to therespective heat exchangers 1502, 1504 through a duct as illustrated inFIG. 15 .

The conditioned side 1524 of the temperature control unit 1500 mayinclude a user interface 1602. The user interface 1602 may be configuredto provide a user with information about the temperature control unit1500 and/or the conditioned space, such as temperature readings fromsensors in the temperature control unit 1500, operational parameters,errors, fault codes, etc. The user interface 1602 may also provideinputs that the user may change, such as set points, timers, etc.

The temperature control unit 1500 may also include a power supply, suchas power supply 402, power supply 702 described above, configured toprovide power to the different components of the temperature controlunit 1500. For example, the power supply may supply power to acontroller, the primary fans 1506, secondary fans 1508, andthermoelectric cooling elements 1510. The power supply may include oneor more transformers configured to convert line voltage to a voltageconfigured to operate the associated components. For example, thecontroller and/or thermoelectric cooling elements 1510 may be configuredto operate at low voltages, such as 12 volts, 24 volts, withoutlimitation. In one or more embodiments, the power supply may operate asan inverter configured to alter the type of power being supplied. Forexample, the power supply may convert alternating current (AC) linepower to direct current (DC) power. The power supply may also beconfigured to alter a polarity of the power to components of thetemperature control unit 1500. For example, as described above,reversing the polarity of the power to the thermoelectric coolingelements 1510 may effectively change the temperature control unit 1500from a cooling mode to a heating mode. Similarly, the power supply maychange a level of the power provided to the thermoelectric coolingelements 1510, as described above, to change a level of cooling orheating being provided therefrom.

The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing figures do not limit the scope of the invention,since these embodiments are merely examples of embodiments of theinvention, which is defined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within thescope of this disclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the presentdisclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such asalternative useful combinations of the elements described, may becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Suchmodifications and embodiments are also intended to fall within the scopeof the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A temperature control unit comprising: one ormore thermoelectric cooling elements coupled to a conditioned space heatexchanger and an unconditioned space heat exchanger; one or moreconditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditioned spacevertically displaced from the conditioned space heat exchanger; one ormore unconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditionedspace over the unconditioned space heat exchanger; and a power supplyconfigured to change a polarity of power to the one or morethermoelectric cooling elements.
 2. The temperature control unit ofclaim 1, wherein the power supply is configured to change a level of thepower to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements.
 3. Thetemperature control unit of claim 1, further comprising: a shelfconfigured to contact a window and support a conditioned space side ofthe temperature control unit; and a support foot extending from a bottomof the temperature control unit on an unconditioned space side of thetemperature control unit to support the unconditioned space side of thetemperature control unit.
 4. The temperature control unit of claim 1,wherein the conditioned space heat exchanger is directly coupled to afirst surface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements and theunconditioned space heat exchanger is directly coupled to a secondsurface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements opposite thefirst surface.
 5. The temperature control unit of claim 1, wherein theconditioned space heat exchanger is operatively coupled to a firstsurface of the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements through afirst working medium and the unconditioned space heat exchanger isoperatively coupled to a second surface of the one or morethermoelectric cooling elements opposite the first surface through asecond working medium.
 6. The temperature control unit of claim 5,wherein the first working medium and the second working medium are asame type of medium.
 7. The temperature control unit of claim 5, whereinthe first working medium and the second working medium comprise heatpipes.
 8. The temperature control unit of claim 5, wherein the firstworking medium and the second working medium comprise a liquid.
 9. Atemperature control unit comprising: one or more thermoelectric coolingelements operatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchangerthrough a first working fluid; the one or more thermoelectric coolingelements operatively coupled to an unconditioned space heat exchangerthrough a second working fluid; one or more conditioned air fansconfigured to move air from a conditioned space over the conditionedspace heat exchanger; one or more unconditioned air fans configured tomove air from an unconditioned space over the unconditioned space heatexchanger; and a power supply configured to change a polarity and alevel of power to the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements. 10.The temperature control unit of claim 9, further comprising a bodyhousing the one or more thermoelectric cooling elements, wherein theconditioned space heat exchanger is coupled to the body on a firstlateral end of the body and the unconditioned space heat exchanger iscoupled to the body on a second lateral end of the body.
 11. Thetemperature control unit of claim 10, wherein the conditioned space heatexchanger extends away from the body and the unconditioned space heatexchanger extends away from the body.
 12. The temperature control unitof claim 10, wherein the body is configured to pass through a barrierbetween the conditioned space and the unconditioned space and the bodyhas a vertical cross sectional area less than a vertical cross sectionalarea of the conditioned space heat exchanger and the unconditioned spaceheat exchanger.
 13. The temperature control unit of claim 9, furthercomprising a controller configured to communicate wirelessly withanother controller of another temperature control unit.
 14. Atemperature control unit comprising: a thermoelectric cooling elementoperatively coupled to a conditioned space heat exchanger through afirst heat pipe; the thermoelectric cooling element operatively coupledto an unconditioned space heat exchanger through a second heat pipe; oneor more conditioned air fans configured to move air from a conditionedspace over the conditioned space heat exchanger; one or moreunconditioned air fans configured to move air from an unconditionedspace over the unconditioned space heat exchanger; and a power supplyconfigured to change a level of power to the thermoelectric coolingelement.
 15. The temperature control unit of claim 14, wherein the firstheat pipe comprises an evaporative section, a transfer section, and acondenser section.
 16. The temperature control unit of claim 15, whereinthe power supply is configured to change a polarity of the power to thethermoelectric cooling element and the first heat pipe is configured toreverse a heat flow direction when the polarity of the power to thethermoelectric cooling element is changed.
 17. The temperature controlunit of claim 14, further comprising: a conditioned side including theconditioned space heat exchanger and the one or more conditioned airfans; an unconditioned side including the unconditioned space heatexchanger and the one or more unconditioned air fans; and a bridgesection positioned between the conditioned side and the unconditionedside.
 18. The temperature control unit of claim 17, wherein the bridgesection has a vertical cross section less than a vertical cross sectionof the conditioned side and the unconditioned side.
 19. The temperaturecontrol unit of claim 17, wherein the conditioned side, theunconditioned side, and the bridge section define a channel between theconditioned side and the unconditioned side.
 20. The temperature controlunit of claim 14, wherein the first heat pipe includes a working fluidselected from a group consisting of water, methanol, ammonia, ethanol,acetone, fluorocarbons, and mixtures of water and ethyl alcohol.